Wassaic Project opening early for locals

WASSAIC — The Wassaic Project is a three-day art event held in and around the former Maxon Mills grain house building in the center of the hamlet of Wassaic. The weekend of Aug. 13 to 15 marks the third year of the event, which saw attendance rise from 500 to more than 2,500 visitors between its first and second year.

In 2010 the Wassaic Project introduced an artist residency program in nearby Luther Barn. This year more than 80 artists and 25 bands will be participating in the three-day event that  includes poetry readings, dance performances, film screenings and more.  In a nod to the surrounding community, the 2010 Wassaic Project event will open early for a special sneak peak the night before the festival begins.

Community Night will be held Thursday, Aug. 12, from 5 to 7 p.m., and will be open exclusively to residents of Wassaic and the surrounding communities. No Brakes, a local bluegrass band, will perform, and the highlighted artwork will include pieces from Dutchess and Litchfield county artists who are featured in the show. The event will also include a raffle with local prizes and a 50/50 raffle to benefit the Wassaic Fire Department.

“We host Community Night because we are truly grateful for the community that we are in and we think that it is very important to have an event that is just for them,†said event co-founder Bowie Zunino in an e-mail. “We also want to ensure that the hamlet of Wassaic, as well as our surrounding communities, feel included in our events.â€

Participating local artists include Hendon Chubb, Richard Deon, Henry Klimowicz, Camilo Rojas and Craig Wickwire. Log on to wassaicproject.org for more information.

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